When looking at After the Race, we view a reoccurring topic in Joyce's novels; paralysis.
Paralysis is a position in which movement is unable. Joyce portrays this is in his characters by keeping them stuck in a situation where they cant progress. He uses paralysis in After the Race to depict the theme that the desire for money and status will only prove you worse off.
Jimmy, the protagonist does not progress through out the story and like many other characters in James Joyce's the Dubliners has the longing to escape to a better life style. Although Jimmy already posses an upper-class existence, he has a craving for more and it is this craving that entices an epiphany. This revels to him that he came into this situation with hopes for a wealthier life but came out owing more money than he began with.
"Jimmy did not know exactly who was winning but he knew that he was loosing. But it was his own fault for he frequently mistook his cards and the other men had to calculate his I.O.U's for him."
Joyce conveys this theme by using Irony linked with an epiphany. Jimmy developed a revelation by the end of the story when "Daybreak" sets in and he realizes that he has lost everything he went with, due to the "Devil's" card game. Jimmy understands with light on the situation that he would have been happier if he didn’t chase this superficiality.
Joyce's theme is conveyed clearly because of his writing style, and the use of an Epiphany connected with irony. The theme is very effective as Joyce conveys a pessimistic view on Irish life and introduces the reader to his opinion on the paralysis of Irish people.
Paralysis is a position in which movement is unable. Joyce portrays this is in his characters by keeping them stuck in a situation where they cant progress. He uses paralysis in After the Race to depict the theme that the desire for money and status will only prove you worse off.
Jimmy, the protagonist does not progress through out the story and like many other characters in James Joyce's the Dubliners has the longing to escape to a better life style. Although Jimmy already posses an upper-class existence, he has a craving for more and it is this craving that entices an epiphany. This revels to him that he came into this situation with hopes for a wealthier life but came out owing more money than he began with.
"Jimmy did not know exactly who was winning but he knew that he was loosing. But it was his own fault for he frequently mistook his cards and the other men had to calculate his I.O.U's for him."
Joyce conveys this theme by using Irony linked with an epiphany. Jimmy developed a revelation by the end of the story when "Daybreak" sets in and he realizes that he has lost everything he went with, due to the "Devil's" card game. Jimmy understands with light on the situation that he would have been happier if he didn’t chase this superficiality.
Joyce's theme is conveyed clearly because of his writing style, and the use of an Epiphany connected with irony. The theme is very effective as Joyce conveys a pessimistic view on Irish life and introduces the reader to his opinion on the paralysis of Irish people.
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